TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

NUMBER 2005-622

ISSUED  SEPTEMBER 16, 2005

REVISED March 20, 2013

 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

State Civil Service Commission

 

Examination

 

for

 

MEDICAL RECORDS ASSISTANT

 

Exam

No.

 

Job Title

Job

Code

Pay Schedule

and Range

1.

Medical Records Assistant

39000

ST04

 

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

 

VETERANS:  Pennsylvania law (51 Pa.C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences and opportunities for veterans, visit the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, for Veterans; visit one of our offices; or call out veterans information line, (717) 787-6039.

 

NATURE OF WORK

 

This is specialized clerical work in a medical records department of a mental health hospital, center for individuals with developmental disabilities, veterans’ home, State Correctional Institution, the Department of Public Welfare’s South Mountain Restoration Center, or the Department of Health.  You will prepare and type medical reports, transcribe medical records from recordings and code physicians’ diagnoses using standard nomenclature on a computer.  You will also review, process and file medical records.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

You may be tested before your qualifications are reviewed.  Your test results will count only if you meet all job requirements.  If after reading the requirements you are not sure you qualify, contact one of the Commission's offices listed at the end of this announcement.

 

You are subject to Pennsylvania residency requirements and must be able to perform the essential functions of the job.  Visit the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, for PA Residency Information.

 

Some of the positions in this job title come under the provisions of the Older Adults Protective Services Act.  If you are a final candidate for one of these positions, you will have to obtain a report of criminal record information from the Pennsylvania State Police or a statement that the State Police Central Repository contains no information relating to you.  If your background is unacceptable, you will be disqualified for employment in such positions.  You will receive information about this requirement and how to obtain the required reports at the time you are being considered for employment.

 

After you receive a conditional offer of employment, you must undergo a medical examination.  (This does not apply to positions in the Department of Health.)

 

If you are being appointed to a position in the Department of Corrections, and you are not currently employed by the Department of Corrections, you must attend and complete a 2-week basic training program at the Department of Corrections’ Central Training Academy in Elizabethtown.

 

Minimum Requirements

One year of clerical experience in a medical records department of a hospital, ambulatory acute medical care setting or a licensed nursing facility which has included 6 months of experience under the general direction or oversight by a Registered Health Information Technician or Registered Health Information Administrator; OR graduation from a medical secretarial or medical records program; OR an equivalent combination of experience and training.

 

Clarification of Requirements

If you are registered as a Registered Health Information Technician with the American Health Information Management Association you meet the above Minimum Requirements.  Unrelated experience or education will not be accepted.

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

 

There are 122 filled positions located throughout the state.  Current vacancies exist in the following agencies and counties:  Department of Public Welfare (Allegheny, Warren, and Montgomery counties); Department of Corrections (Northumberland, Cambria, Huntingdon, and Fayette counties); Department of Health (Dauphin County); and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (Erie County).

 

Additional opportunities may occur due to normal turnover from retirements, promotions, resignations, and so forth.

 

For the most recent information on job opportunities contact:

 

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Human Resources, Health and Welfare Building – Room 106, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania  17105-2675; Telephone:  (717) 787-5068; Email:  Ra-pwhdqpostings@pa.gov.

 

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Bureau of Human Resources, 1920 Technology Drive, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania  17050; Telephone:  (717) 728-5357, Internet:  www.cor.state.pa.us, Email:  ra-docjobs@state.pa.us

 

Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Human Resources, Health and Welfare Building – Room 126, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania  17108; Telephone:   (717) 787-6002, Internet:  www.health.state.pa.us

 

Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Bureau of Administrative Services, Building P-O-47, FIG, Annville, Pennsylvania  17003-5002; Telephone (717) 861-8853, Internet:  www.dmva.state.pa.us

 

TESTING

 

The test will consist of a typing speed test weighted 1/3 and a written multiple-choice test weighted 2/3.  Either part of the test may be cancelled by the Commission, and the weight added to the remaining part.

 

You must pass both parts of the test to be considered for employment.

 

The 2 hour written test will cover the following subject areas.

 

Subject Area

Number of Questions

Arithmetical Calculations

25

Commonly-Used Medical Terms and Abbreviations

25

Proofreading and Correcting Errors in English Usage

25

Filing Alphabetically and Numerically

25

Total

100

 

The test will be held in the Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Civil Service Commission Offices, Monday through Friday.

 

The test also will be held approximately 10 days a month at additional test centers located in Allentown, Erie, Johnstown, Lock Haven, and Scranton.  For further details on test dates, contact the Commission’s Information Services Unit; Telephone (Voice) (717) 787-7811, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers only) (717) 783-8896.

 

Typing Test

The test is given on a personal computer.  You do not need any previous computer experience to take the test.  There is a 5 minute practice exercise, followed by the 5 minute typing test.  The passing score is 40 wpm (after deduction for errors).  If your score is less than 40 wpm, you will immediately be given a second chance to take and pass the test.  If you do not pass the test on the second try, you may return after three months to retake the test.  If you wish to return at a later date, you must submit another Civil Service Application.  You must pass the typing test in order to take the multiple choice test.

 

Multiple Choice Test

If you fail the multiple choice test and want to take it again, you may be retested three months after the date of your last test.  When you retake the multiple choice test, you must also retake the typing test.  You must submit a new Civil Service Application to be retested.

 

If your name is on an eligible list for this job and you take this test, your most recent examination result will be the only one counted.

 

TEST RESULTS

 

Employment and promotion lists will be established.  You will be notified in writing of your test results.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Complete your application on the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, by selecting Online Application, or submit your completed paper application to:

 

State Civil Service Commission

ATTN:  Applications

P.O. Box 569

Harrisburg, PA  17108-0569

 

Applications and further information can be obtained from:

 

1.

State Civil Service Commission:

 

 

 

Harrisburg:  2nd Level, Strawberry Sq. Complex, 320 Market St., P.O.

 

Box 569, Hbg., 17108-0569; Telephone (Voice) (717) 783-3058, Text

 

Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 772-2685

 

 

 

Philadelphia:  110 North 8th St., Suite 503, Phila., 19107; Telephone

 

(Voice) (215) 560-2253, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

 

callers only) (215) 560-4367

 

 

 

Pittsburgh:  411 Seventh Ave., Room 410, Pgh., 15219; Telephone

 

(Voice) (412) 565-7666, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

 

callers only) (412) 565-2484

 

 

 

Internet:  www.scsc.state.pa.us

 

 

2.

PA CareerLink offices

 

 

3.

The Human Resources Offices listed under the "JOB OPPORTUNITIES" section of this announcement

 

For further information on testing, assistance for persons with disabilities, veterans' preference and other items, refer to the instructions provided with the "Application for Employment/Promotion